Malavita EST vs Cartel EST vs Genisis EST - Page 4 - Snowboarding Forum

poutanen · 03-05-2013, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trapper

I'm shying away from the Genesis and Diodes only because I am concerned about the durability of the highbacks on those. Plus, I'm not sure if I really want something as stiff as the Diodes even though in all likelihood they're a good match for my board.

Not to throw a wrench into your thoughts, but I've got Diodes on my freeride board and love them. The only reason I'm not buying a set for my Custom is it's just a cheap play board for me. I found 2013 Restricted Cartels for $188 CDN so that's hard to beat!

trapper · 03-05-2013, 06:14 PM

Damn you, you fuck with my brain!

j1nftw1n · 03-06-2013, 04:08 AM

The Malavita is being marketed as a more freestyle park binding on burtons website and is rated on the same level of flex as the cartels which is a 6/10, but personally when I checked out the mala compared to the cartels you could feel a notice difference in flex in between these two bindings with the malavitas being the stiffer binding with a stiffer frame, stiffer highback, stiffer straps. If the cartels are a 6/10 on flex I'd say the malavita is a 7/10 and than the big brother diode coming in at 8/10

I currently ride 2007 cartels, they are great bindings and there is nothing wrong with them cept that I picked up a stiffer board and boot geared for freeriding and think a stiffer binding would compliment my setup. Though the Diode is geared towards freeriding purpose, I was not impressed with the binding. Lean adjustment isnt a simple twist and turn like all other burton bindings, there is no cushioning on the highbacks. Just doesnt seem like it would be a comfortable ride for a period of time.

Soooo I took the dive and ordered the malavitas to fill a niche of a slightly more responsive and stiffer binding than the cartels but something that would be comfortable to ride for a prolonged period of time. Its arriving tomorrow, hope their what I've wished for and more *fingers crossed*

trapper · 03-06-2013, 06:58 AM

Thanks that helps a lot. It gives me more confidence that the Malavitas are the better choice for me over the Cartels.

crash77 · 03-06-2013, 07:04 AM

If the malavitas are stiffer than the cartels overall by most user accounts, why do you think burton markets them as "100% freestyle focus"? Or does this fall under personal preference as do most, if not all, equipment?

trapper · 03-06-2013, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash77

If the malavitas are stiffer than the cartels overall by most user accounts, why do you think burton markets them as "100% freestyle focus"? Or does this fall under personal preference as do most, if not all, equipment?

I wonder if that has anything to do with the EST versions, in which case the Malavita EST has the Hinge technology giving it more flex laterally for tricks and what not. It also sounds like from what I've been reading the Cartel has taken a step down in stiffness this year, but because of the confusion about it people are still thinking of it as the stiffer binding of the two.

crash77 · 03-06-2013, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trapper

I wonder if that has anything to do with the EST versions, in which case the Malavita EST has the Hinge technology giving it more flex laterally for tricks and what not. It also sounds like from what I've been reading the Cartel has taken a step down in stiffness this year, but because of the confusion about it people are still thinking of it as the stiffer binding of the two.

Well, I guess I will give my $.02. Got the malavita reflex for $156, should be here monday! Only bindings I have to compare them to are 2011 union forces tho.

trapper · 03-06-2013, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash77

Well, I guess I will give my $.02. Got the malavita reflex for $156, should be here monday! Only bindings I have to compare them to are 2011 union forces tho.

Forces are medium stiffness, right? That actually might not be a bad comparison to my 09 Missions.

crash77 · 03-06-2013, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trapper

Forces are medium stiffness, right? That actually might not be a bad comparison to my 09 Missions.

Yup...mid stiff, all mtn. I was going to get the 2013 missions, they were only $120. Being as this will be my last upgrade for a few years, I figured I'd go with the vitas.

Soul06 · 03-06-2013, 08:25 AM

I just ordered a new Custom X to replace my 2010 version. I was about to order the Malavitas as well but hesitated due to so much reading about them being more freestyle oriented than freeride. But if they are as stiff as you say perhaps I need to jump on a pair while they are selling for cheap

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03-05-2013, 06:14 PM	#32 (permalink)
trapper Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lansing Region Posts: 493	Damn you, you fuck with my brain!

03-06-2013, 04:08 AM	#33 (permalink)
j1nftw1n Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 27	The Malavita is being marketed as a more freestyle park binding on burtons website and is rated on the same level of flex as the cartels which is a 6/10, but personally when I checked out the mala compared to the cartels you could feel a notice difference in flex in between these two bindings with the malavitas being the stiffer binding with a stiffer frame, stiffer highback, stiffer straps. If the cartels are a 6/10 on flex I'd say the malavita is a 7/10 and than the big brother diode coming in at 8/10 I currently ride 2007 cartels, they are great bindings and there is nothing wrong with them cept that I picked up a stiffer board and boot geared for freeriding and think a stiffer binding would compliment my setup. Though the Diode is geared towards freeriding purpose, I was not impressed with the binding. Lean adjustment isnt a simple twist and turn like all other burton bindings, there is no cushioning on the highbacks. Just doesnt seem like it would be a comfortable ride for a period of time. Soooo I took the dive and ordered the malavitas to fill a niche of a slightly more responsive and stiffer binding than the cartels but something that would be comfortable to ride for a prolonged period of time. Its arriving tomorrow, hope their what I've wished for and more fingers crossed

03-06-2013, 06:58 AM	#34 (permalink)
trapper Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lansing Region Posts: 493	Thanks that helps a lot. It gives me more confidence that the Malavitas are the better choice for me over the Cartels.

03-06-2013, 07:04 AM	#35 (permalink)
crash77 -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 308	If the malavitas are stiffer than the cartels overall by most user accounts, why do you think burton markets them as "100% freestyle focus"? Or does this fall under personal preference as do most, if not all, equipment?

03-06-2013, 08:25 AM	#40 (permalink)
Soul06 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New York Posts: 231	I just ordered a new Custom X to replace my 2010 version. I was about to order the Malavitas as well but hesitated due to so much reading about them being more freestyle oriented than freeride. But if they are as stiff as you say perhaps I need to jump on a pair while they are selling for cheap